Strawberry plant named &#39;CHARLENE&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct short-day strawberry cultivar is provided. Attractive semi-early ripening substantially uniform medium red generally cordate fruit having a firm flesh is formed in good yield that is longer than broad in configuration. White inflorescence is formed on a semi-early basis that tends to be disposed above the foliage. A calyx commonly is displayed that is substantially equal to the diameter of the corolla when open. A semi-dense upright growth habit is displayed.

BOTANICAL/COMMERCIAL/CLASSIFICATION

Fragaria×ananassa Duchesne/Strawberry Plant

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

cv. Charlene

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new and distinct short-day strawberry cultivar of the present invention was the product of a controlled breeding program that was carried out at Nova Siri (MT) Italy located at 40° 08′ 40″ N-16° 39′ 40″ E and 10 meters above sea level. The female parent (i.e., the seed parent) was the ‘Marisol’ cultivar (U.S. Plant patent application No. 13/987,139, filed Jul. 3, 2013, and European Application No. 2012/1377)) and the male parent (i.e., pollen parent) was the unreleased ‘A050389’ cultivar (non-patented in the United States). The parentage of the new cultivar can be summarized as follows:

‘Marisol’×‘A050389’.

The seeds resulting from the pollination were sown and small plants were obtained which were physically different from each other. Selective study and testing resulted in the identification of a single plant of the new cultivar.

The new cultivar initially was designated EE-10-14.

It was found that the new short-day strawberry cultivar of the present invention displays the following combination of characteristics:

(a) exhibits a semi-dense upright globose growth habit,

(b) displays on a semi-early basis white inflorescence at a level generally above the foliage,

(c) commonly displays a calyx that is substantially equal to the diameter of the corolla when open, and

(d) forms in abundance attractive semi-early ripening large medium red generally cordate fruit having firm flesh that is longer than broad in configuration.

The new cultivar of the present invention can be readily distinguished from previously known strawberry cultivars including the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708) as indicated in detail hereafter. The comparative ‘Camarosa’ plants described herein were obtained commercially in Italy and Poland.

The new cultivar possesses characteristics that commonly are sought by commercial strawberry growers. The substantially uniform attractive firm medium red semi-early ripening fruit is provided in good yields. Accordingly, the new cultivar is considered to be a promising new plant for commercial introduction.

The new cultivar requires an induction period for flowering. This can be achieved by growing in a colder climate away from the equator or at a higher altitude above sea level.

During observation to date no particular disease sensitivity for the new cultivar has been observed.

The new cultivar has been asexually reproduced by the use of stolon's at Ochla, Poland located at 51° 848 N-15° 447 E and at Nova Siri (MT) Italy, and by in vitro tissue culture. No rooting problems were encountered. The combination of characteristics exhibited by the new plant has been found to be stable and is reliably transmitted to succeeding generations following such asexual reproduction. Accordingly, the new cultivar reproduces true-to-type manner by such asexual reproduction.

The new plant has been named ‘Charlene’.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photographs show, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to make the same in color illustrations of this character, typical specimens of the new cultivar as well as typical specimens of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708) for comparative purposes. The plants had been asexually reproduced from stolons and were planted under the cover of plastic tunnels during mid-October 2013 at Nova Siri (MT), Italy.

FIG. 1 shows an upright flowering plant of the new cultivar on Mar. 20, 2014 where the newly formed flowers commonly are disposed above medium dense foliage.

FIG. 2 shows a row of fruiting plants of the new cultivar on Feb. 14, 2014 wherein abundant substantially uniform fruit production is apparent.

FIG. 3 shows typical three-leaflet leaves of the new cultivar including petioles and stipules. Dimensions in centimeters are included at the right for comparative purposes.

FIG. 4 shows from above the upper surface of a typical three-leaflet leaf of the new cultivar.

FIG. 5 shows from above a typical four-leaflet leaf of the new cultivar.

FIG. 6 shows from above a typical five-leaflet leaf that is occasionally displayed by the new cultivar.

FIG. 7 shows the under surfaces of typical terminal leaflets of varied sizes of the new cultivar.

FIG. 8 shows for comparative purposes at the right typical inflorescence of the new cultivar which commonly also bear a single leaflet, and at the left typical, inflorescence of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708) where a single leaflet is absent.

FIG. 9 shows from above for comparative purposes typical flowers of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708) wherein the diameter of open calyx commonly exceeds that of the open corolla. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included for comparative purposes.

FIG. 10 shows from above typical flowers of the new cultivar wherein the diameter of the open calyx is substantially equal to the diameter of the open corolla. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included for comparative purposes.

FIG. 11 shows from below for comparative purposes typical flowers of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708). Unlike the new cultivar, it is observed that the depicted open calyx commonly extends beyond the diameter of the open corolla.

FIG. 12 shows from below typical flowers of the new cultivar wherein the diameter of the open calyx commonly is substantially equal to the diameter of the corolla when open.

FIG. 13 shows from above for comparative purposes a typical flower of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708) wherein the petals commonly are approximately equal in length and breadth. Dimensions in centimeters are included at the top.

FIG. 14 shows from above a typical flower of the new cultivar wherein the petals tend to be slightly broader than long. Dimensions in centimeters are included at the top.

FIG. 15 shows typical attractive whole substantially uniform cordate fruit of the new cultivar wherein the sepals of the calyx tend to extend substantially horizontally outwards. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included at the bottom for comparative purposes.

FIG. 16 shows typical sections showing the interior of the fruit of the new cultivar. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included for comparative purposes.

FIG. 17 shows on Jul. 30, 2013 typical plants of the new cultivar wherein the tendency to form stolons in a medium-to-high quantity is illustrated.

FIG. 18 shows during November 2014 typical plants of the new cultivar wherein anthocyanin coloration of the stolons is readily apparent.

FIG. 19 shows on Apr. 29, 2014 a row of mature fruiting plants of the new cultivar wherein the inflorescence is shown to be disposed above the foliage.

FIG. 20 shows for comparative purposes on Apr. 29, 2014 a row of mature fruiting plants of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708) wherein the inflorescence is shown to be disposed at substantially the same level as the foliage. When compared to FIG. 19, it is seen that the foliage of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar tends to be somewhat denser than that of the new cultivar, and the foliage coloration is of the new cultivar is somewhat darker than that of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar.

FIG. 21 shows typical whole fruit of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708) wherein the fruit is raised at the top end where the calyx is attached.

FIG. 22 shows typical fruit sections of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,708) wherein it is further apparent that unlike the new cultivar the fruit is raised at the top portion where the calyx is attached. Also, it is noted that the fruit of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar generally tends to be less uniform in configuration than that of the new cultivar and to be more rhomboid to cylindrical in configuration. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included for comparative purposes.

FIG. 23 shows for comparative purposes a typical three-leaflet leaf of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar wherein the terminal leaflet tends to be substantially as long as broad unlike the new cultivar where the terminal leaflet commonly tends to be longer than broad. Also, blistering on the upper surfaces of the leaflets the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar commonly tends to be stronger than that displayed by the new cultivar.

FIG. 24 shows for comparative purposes typical petioles of the new cultivar on the right and typical petioles of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar on the left. Anthocyanin coloration on the stipules of the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar is absent and on the new cultivar is present and weak. Dimensions in centimeters and inches are included at the center.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The described plants had been asexually reproduced by the use of stolons and were growing under the cover of plastic tunnels at Nova Siri (MT) Italy and at Ochla, Poland. The chart used in the identification of color is the R.H.S. Colour Chart (Edition V) of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, England. Reference to common color terms is to be accorded ordinary dictionary significance.

-   Botanical class: Fragaria×ananassa, Duchesne, cv. ‘Charlene’. -   Plant:     -   -   Type.—short-day.         -   Configuration.—upright and semi-dense.         -   Vigor.—medium.         -   Leaves.—commonly approximately 25 to 33 cm in length on             average including the petiole.         -   Leaflets.—medium in size, commonly three or four (sometimes             five) in number, approximately 5.5 to 6.5 cm in length on             average for terminal leaflets and approximately 5 to 5.5 cm             in width on average for terminal leaflets; the terminal             leaflet tends to be longer in length than width, possesses a             concave cross-section, possesses a serrate-to-crenate             margin, and an obtuse to rounded base; blistering commonly             is weak to medium in quantity; the glossiness on the upper             surface is medium; and variegated coloration commonly is             absent with the upper surface coloration commonly being near             Green Group N137C to Green Group N139A and the under surface             commonly being near Greyed-Green Group 191B to Greyed-Green             Group 191C.         -   Stolons.—medium in quantity, and commonly with some             anthocyanin coloration of near Red-Purple Group 58B to             Red-Purple Group 58C.         -   Petioles.—commonly approximately 17 to 20 cm in length on             average, near Yellow-Green Group N144C to Yellow-Green Group             N144D in coloration, and commonly bear generally             horizontally disposed fine pubescence.         -   Stipules.—commonly approximately 2.2 to 2.5 cm in length,             and commonly bear some very weak anthocyanin coloration of             near Red-Purple Group 69C to near Red-Purple Group 69D. For             the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar the stipules commonly are             approximately 3.5 to 4.5 cm in length, bear no anthocyanin             coloration, and commonly are near Green-Yellow Group 1B to             Green-Yellow Group 1C in coloration. -   Influorescence:     -   -   Flowering time.—medium.         -   Flower disposition.—generally above the foliage.         -   Flower number.—few to medium, commonly 1 to 4.         -   Pedicel hairs.—pubescence generally disposed somewhat             upwards.         -   Pedicel color.—near Green Group 142B to near Yellow-Green             Group 143C.         -   Size.—large, with primary flowers commonly being             approximately 2.3 to 3.1 cm in diameter on average, and             secondary flowers commonly being approximately 2 to 2.4 cm             in diameter on average, and commonly the calyx is             substantially equal in diameter of the corolla when open.         -   Petals.—overlapping, commonly number approximately 5 to 7 on             average (typically 6), somewhat rounded overall, commonly             the length is moderately shorter than the width, commonly             approximately 0.8 to 1 cm in length on average, and             approximately 1.1 to 1.3 cm in width on average, with a             rounded apex, and near White Group N155A in coloration on             the upper surface. For the ‘Camarosa’ cultivar the length             and width of the petals tend to be substantially equal.         -   Anthers.—commonly number approximately 21 to 26 on average,             commonly disposed below the stamen, and near Yellow Group 6A             to Yellow Group 6B in coloration. The new cultivar is             self-fertile and pollen is formed in abundance.         -   Sepals.—generally lanceolate in configuration, generally             somewhat outwardly disposed, commonly number approximately             10 to 14 on average, commonly approximately 0.8 to 1.4 cm in             length on average and approximately 2 to 6 mm in width on             average at the broadest point, unlike the ‘Camarosa’             cultivar the diameter of the open calyx commonly is             substantially the same as that of the corolla (as             illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10), and the coloration on the             upper surface is commonly near Green Group 141B to Green             Group 143A and on the lower surface is commonly near             Yellow-Green Group 147B. -   Fruit:     -   -   Bearing.—non-remontant.         -   Timing.—medium-fruiting commonly with approximately 28 to 32             days from first blooming to first fruit ripening.         -   Shape.—generally cordate, moderately longer than broad,             commonly with a slight difference between terminal and other             fruit.         -   Size.—medium to large, with the primary fruit commonly being             approximately 5.8 to 6.2 cm in length on average and             approximately 3.8 to 4.2 cm in width on average at the             broadest point.         -   Surface.—generally smooth with strong glossiness.         -   External color.—substantially uniform medium red and             commonly near Red Group 45B to Red Group 46A in coloration.         -   Internal color.—flesh is medium red, and commonly near             Orange-Red Group 34A, and the core commonly is medium red             Orange-Red Group 34A to Orange-Red Group 34B.         -   Firmness.—firm to very firm.         -   Cavity.—small (as illustrated in FIG. 16).         -   Achenes.—located generally below the fruit surface and cover             nearly the entire fruit surface commonly with only a very             narrow band (if any) where achenes are absent, and commonly             near Yellow-Orange Group 23B in coloration.         -   Calyx.—commonly the fruit is substantially level at the             point of attachment, the fruit commonly attaches to the             fruit with medium adherence, the sepals are disposed             generally outwards, and the calyx diameter when open in             relation to the fruit diameter commonly is slightly smaller.         -   Peduncle.—very long, commonly approximately 30 to 40 cm in             length on average for primary fruit, and commonly near Green             Group 141B to Green Group 143A in coloration.         -   Pedicel.—commonly with pubescence extending outwards, and             near Green Group 142B to Yellow-Green Group 144C in             coloration.

SUPPLEMENTAL COMPARATIVE DATA

Hereafter, additional comparative fruit data is provided for the new ‘Charlene’ cultivar and the “Camarosa” cultivar. The plants had been asexually reproduced by the use of stolons and were growing under the cover of plastic tunnels. The fruit was evaluated and compared on the dates indicated. Average data is presented.

Accumulated Production of First Quality Fruit (g/plant) Cultivar February 30^(th) March 30^(th) April 30^(th) May 30^(th) ′Charlene′ 40 156 394 588 ′Camarosa′ 69 177 359 587

Overall Comparison of Average Fruit Weight Cultivar g/fruit ′Charlene′ 22.31 ′Camarosa′ 22.13

Average Fruit Weight on Specified Dates March 30^(th) April 30^(th) May 30^(th) Cultivar (grams) (grams) (grams) ′Charlene′ 24.43 22.50 19.00 ′Camarosa′ 23.43 22.75 19.80

Fruit Analysis 'Charlene' 'Camarosa' Firmness (average)* 0.74 0.74 Dry Matter (%)** 8.71 8.90 pH (to 20°) 3.88 3.60 Acidity as Anhydride Citric (%) 0.70 0.90 Soluble Solids (% Brix) 9.00 7.60 Maturity Index*** 12.85 8.44 * Resistance to penetration measured in kilograms using a Turoni (Italy) pentrometer (20 Kg × 0.01). ** weight of residue from the titration of the fruit after drying at 103° C. until a constant weight is achieved. *** Relation between soluble solids and acidity as acetic anhydride.

Plants of the new ‘Charlene’ cultivar have not been observed under all possible environmental conditions to date. Accordingly, it is possible that the phenotypic expression may vary somewhat with changes in light intensity and duration, cultural practices, and other environmental conditions. 

1. A new and distinct short-day strawberry plant that exhibits the following combination of characteristics: (a) exhibits a semi-dense upright globose growth habit, (b) displays on a semi-early basis white inflorescence at a level generally above the foliage, (c) commonly displays a calyx that is substantially equal to the diameter of the corolla when open, and (d) forms in abundance attractive semi-early ripening large medium red generally cordate fruit having firm flesh that is longer than broad in configuration; substantially as illustrated and described. 